Diploma does not guarantee jobs, OJT needed —CHED chief
Speaking in a recent public forum, Agrupis stressed that a diploma alone does not guarantee a job. 'In the data of the 25,000 interviewed, only 3,000 were hired,' she said.
"It's not because of the expertise in the field but because of the lack of soft skills, writing ability, communication skills, critical thinking.'
She pointed to studies by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) and direct feedback from industries as key indicators of the mismatch between higher education output and labor market needs.
To bridge this gap, CHED has issued a memorandum requiring all universities to integrate on-the-job training (OJT) into their degree programs.
"We are compelled to deploy our students to an industry related to the degree program. After finishing the required number of hours, the OJT gives feedback to us,' she explained.
The program serves two purposes: giving employers a chance to evaluate student competence and offering them an opportunity to demonstrate their skills.
'Most of them are employed after OJT,' Agrupis said.
"But the diploma is not a guarantee for immediate employment. We always emphasize that," she said.
Addressing questions about 'mass promotion' in basic education, the CHED chief clarified that while tertiary institutions use entrance exams to maintain academic standards, basic education promotion policies fall under the Department of Education (DepEd).
She reiterated that improving higher education outcomes also depends on strong foundational skills from earlier schooling.
'We are teaching the same Filipino from preschool to college. At what stage can we implant the right values so they grow up knowing their responsibilities?' she asked.
CHED continues to work with DepEd and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) under a 'tri-focalized' education framework to align curricula with both technical requirements and soft skills demanded by employers.
'This is how we progress — by shaping not just the mind, but the character of our youth,' she said.
During the session, Agrupis outlined a sweeping reform blueprint for Philippine higher education, known as the new seven-point ACHIEVE Agenda, will be CHED's strategic guide from 2025 to 2030.
Through this agenda, CHED aims to integrate flexible learning programs, harmonize research with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, create a unified data portal to track learners from elementary to employment, and strengthen global competitiveness through academic mobility and international collaborations.
The session, organized by the SEAMEO Regional Center for Educational Innovation and Technology (SEAMEO INNOTECH), is one of three SEAMEO regional centers hosted by the Government of the Philippines.
Since its establishment in 1970, INNOTECH has continuously and effectively provided quality learning services, research and solutions development, knowledge management, as well as other enabling and support services, to effectively respond to educational needs and concerns in Southeast Asia.—LDF, GMA Integrated News
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